Weekend Series
February 18-20, 2022 | 3:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (37-16; 28-12 Big South in 2021) vs. Ohio (28-25; 19-21 MAC in 2021)
Cleveland S. Harley Park | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC Upstate | Ohio
Game One: RHP Jacob Curry (2-3; 5.28 ERA in 2021 [at UNCG]) | RHP Edward Kutt IV (8-4; 2.92 ERA in 2021)
Game Two: RHP Austin Morgan (4-2; 2.78 ERA in 2021) | RHP Jack Liberatore (Did Not Pitch in 2021)
Game Three: LHP Sawyer Worrell (4-1; 3.89 ERA in 2021) | LHP Jacob Tate (0-1; 4.58 ERA in 2021)
 
Series History
Entering the 2022 season, USC Upstate and Ohio have met six times in the series with each of the series' previous games played at Cleveland S. Harley Park. Overall, the Spartans lead the series 4-2 with Upstate taking each series two-game-to-one during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In his career, Upstate head coach Mike McGuire is 4-4 against the Bobcats and will be playing his first games against Ohio since coming to Upstate ahead of the 2020 season.
 
Players to Watch
Upstate:
Pitcher: Named a 2022 Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American, right-hander Kevin Davis returns to lead an Upstate relief corps. He closed the 2021 season ranked atop the Big South in saves (11), earned run average (1.57), and opponent's batting average (.155). Overall, he tossed 28.2 innings over 22 appearances, surrendering just 15 hits and five runs while striking out 42 hitters.
 
Position Player: Earning Second Team All-Big South honors in 2021, catcher Devin Buckner represents the leading returning hitter for the club after hitting .339 (63-of-186). Of his 63 hits, 23 went for extra-bases (19 doubles; four home runs) while he led the Spartans in runs batted in (49), walks (41), and hit-by-pitch (15).
 
Ohio:
Pitcher: Transitioning from the bullpen to the starting rotation late last season, right-hander Edward Kutt IV headlines the Ohio rotation after going 8-4 with five saves and a 2.92 ERA in 2021. He tossed 74.0 innings over 22 appearances, including five starts and three complete games, surrendering 55 hits, and 24 earned runs while striking out 84.
 
Position Player: Setting the table atop the Bobcat order, outfielder Isaiah Peterson returns after hitting .283 (47-of-166) with a team-high 13 doubles and 34 RBI. He posted a slugging percentage of .548 and an on-base percentage of .393 as he drew 25 walks to complement his 47 hits.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Returning to action for the first time in the midweek, USC Upstate continues its season-opening homestand as it welcomes Western Carolina to Cleveland S. Harley Park. The Spartans and Catamounts are set for a single-game Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
 
JOIN UP
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!

Keep UP with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateBSB @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateBSB @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans